Angleton takes plea agreement in rape case

Saturday

Jan 28, 2012 at 12:01 AMJan 28, 2012 at 9:20 PM

Chad Frey

Kevin Angleton, 44, of Hesston, entered a plea Thursday afternoon in district court — a plea of no contest.
His plea, and the resulting guilty verdict, come as the result of a plea agreement which dismissed several sex charges but upheld a charge of rape and a charge of aggravated indecent liberties with a child. The agreement recommends a sentence of 20 years in prison.
“This was something that everyone thought was in the best interest of the children,” said county prosecutor David Yoder.
The two charges upheld allege activities with two different girls younger than the age of 14. According to fact sheet read by Yoder in court, Angleton allegedly fondled one girl through her undergarments, leading to the aggravated indecent liberties with a child charge, and penetrated another girl with his finger, leading to a charge of rape.
Both charges could have led to a life sentence for Angleton under Jessica’s Law. However, the plea agreement recommends a sentence of 20 years and dismissal of six other charges — he would serve 17 years before becoming eligible for parole. As many as four children have alleged Angleton had some form of sexual contact with them.
“I had met multiple times with the family. Nothing can be done to remedy what happened or undo what he did,” Yoder said. “The question came down to what everyone would be satisfied with as a sentence. ...
We want to be sure the girls would be grown and on to adulthood before he saw the light of day.”
Angleton will be held in jail without bond until sentencing, set for March 16.
The court does not have to adhere to the sentencing requested under the plea agreement — and could impose a maximum sentence of life in prison, with parole eligibility after 25 years.
Angleton, who was once a city council candidate in Hesston, was first charged in November Nov. 7 with three counts of indecent liberties with a child.
Days later Angleton was charged with rape and aggravated sodomy charges when and an additional girl came forward.
In each case, Angleton knew his victims ahead of time.
“We was well acquainted with each of these victims,” Yoder told The Kansan in November.

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